Finite-Element Study of Methods for Triggering Pipeline Global Buckling Based on the Concept of the Perfect VAS Length
Publication: Journal of Pipeline Systems Engineering and Practice
Volume 7, Issue 2
Abstract
With the increase in pipeline operating depth, research on pipeline global buckling during the process of oil and gas transport is drawing considerable attention. Numerical simulation is an important method that is used to analyze pipeline buckling, which is immediately caused by the combined action of high temperature and high pressure. Two important problems must be solved before simulating submarine pipeline global buckling. Because the finite-element (FE) model length greatly affects analysis of the buckling results, finding a reasonable model length is the first problem in finite-element analysis (FEA). The second is how to trigger global buckling in the pipeline because the ideal pipeline would not buckle in FEA. Previous studies only state that geometric initial imperfection and interference force could trigger pipeline global buckling. Therefore, simulating pipeline global buckling in FEA becomes a problem. In this paper, an effective method for calculating the reasonable model length (also called the virtual anchor spacing, or VAS) has been put forward based on the limit equilibrium theory of the analytical solution method. Two different methods, i.e., imperfection and interference force, have been used to simulate pipeline global buckling. Based on the VAS model with perfect length, a series of analyses on lateral buckling triggered by geometric initial imperfection and interference force are given. The research shows that no direct relation exists between the triggering methods and that their analytical results significantly differ.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for the support by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (2014CB046800), the Excellent Young Scholars of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51322904), and the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (20130032110074).
References
ABAQUS [Computer software]. Dassault Systèmes, Waltham, MA.
Antunes, B. R., Solano, R. F., and Vaz, M. A. (2010). “Analytical formulation of distributed buoyancy sections to control lateral buckling of subsea pipelines.” Proc., ASME 29th Int. Conf. on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Vol. 5, Shanghai, China, 669–677.
Bruton, D., Carr, M., Crawford, M., and Poiate, E. (2005). “The safe design of hot on-bottom pipeline with lateral buckling using the design guideline developed by the SAFEBUCK joint industry project.” Deep Offshore Technology Conf., PennWell, Tulsa, 1–26.
Bruton, D. A. S., Bolton, M., Carr, M., and White, D. J. (2008). “Pipe-soil interaction during lateral buckling and pipeline walking—The SAFEBUCK JIP.” Offshore Technology Conf., Houston, 1–20.
Carlos, D. O., and Alvaro, M. R. (2006). “HP-HT pipeline cyclic behavior considering soil berms effect.” 25th Int. Conf. on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, ASME, New York, 1–12.
Det Norske Veritas. (2002). “Submarine pipeline systems.”, Oslo, Norway.
Det Norske Veritas. (2007). “Global buckling of submarine pipelines structural design due to high temperature/high pressure.”, Oslo, Norway.
Det Norske Veritas. (2009). “Interference between trawl gear and pipelines.”, Oslo, Norway.
Hobbs, R. E. (1984). “In-service buckling of heated pipelines.” J. Transp. Eng., 175–189.
James, G. A. C. (1997). “A simplified model of upheaval thermal buckling of subsea pipelines.” Thin Walled Struct., 29(1), 59–78.
Junes, A. V., Jose, F. R., and Cora, M. (2004). “Buried pipe modeling with initial imperfections.” J. Pressure Vessel Technol., 126(2), 250–257.
Karman, V. T., and Shen, T. H. (1939). “The buckling of spherical shells external pressure.” J. Aeronaut. Sci., 7(2), 43–50.
Liu, H. W. (1992). Mechanics of materials, Higher Education Press, Beijing.
Liu, R., Liu, W. B., and Yan, S. W. (2014a). “Global lateral buckling analysis of idealized subsea pipelines.” J. Central South Univ., 21(1), 416–427.
Liu, R., Wang, W. G., and Yan, S. W. (2013). “Finite element analysis on thermal upheaval buckling of submarine burial pipelines with initial imperfection.” J. Central South Univ., 20(1), 236–245.
Liu, R., Xiong, H., Wu, X. L., and Yan, S. W. (2014b). “Numerical studies on global buckling of subsea pipelines.” Ocean Eng., 78(1), 62–72.
Masood Haq, M., and Kenny, S. (2013). “Lateral buckling response of subsea HTHP pipelines using finite element methods.” Proc., ASME 32nd Int. Conf. on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Vol. 4, ASME, New York, 497–496.
Newson, T. A., and Deljoui, P. (2007). “Finite element modeling of upheaval buckling of buried offshore pipelines in clayey soils.” Soil and Rock Behavior and Modeling, ASCE, Boston, 351–358.
Sriskandarajah, T., Dong, S., Sribalachandran, S., and Wilkins, R. (1999). “Effect of initial imperfections on the lateral buckling of subsea pipe.” Proc., Int. Offshore and Polar Engineering Conf., Vol. 2, International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineering, Mountain View, CA, 168–175.
Sun, Y., and Zhang, Y. M. (2008). “Using catastrophe theory analysis the bending pole question.” Shanxi Archit., 34(16), 29–31.
Taylor, N., and Gan, A. B. (1986a). “Refined modelling for the lateral buckling of submarine pipelines.” Constr. Steel Res., 6(2), 143–162.
Taylor, N., and Gan, A. B. (1986b). “Submarine pipeline buckling imperfection studies.” Thin-Walled Struct., 4(4), 295–323.
Taylor, N., Tran, V. (1996). “Experimental and theoretical studies in subsea pipeline buckling.” Mar. Struct., 9(2), 211–257.
Walker, A. C. (2010). “Particular aspects regarding the lateral buckling analysis of flowlines.” Proc., ASME 2010 29th Int. Conf. on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, Vol. 5, ASME, New York, 49–56.
Yu, S. K., and Konuk, I. (2007). “Continuum FE modeling of lateral buckling: Study of soil effects.” Proc., Int. Conf. on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering—OMAE, ASME, New York, 347–354.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 21, 2014
Accepted: Oct 6, 2015
Published online: Dec 31, 2015
Published in print: May 1, 2016
Discussion open until: May 31, 2016
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.